Expert-Vetted: Our Picks for the Best Online Sex Therapy Services of 2024

In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleOur Top PicksCompare ProvidersGuide to ChoosingAre Online Sex Therapy Programs Right for Me?FAQsMethodology

In This ArticleView All

Online sex therapy—individually or with partners—is a form of talk therapy that focuses on your sexuality and its role in your relationships and mental health. It can be used to discuss issues related to gender identity, sexual expression, intimate relationships, body image, romantic and erotic relationships, kinks and fetishes, and sexual disorders. “Sex therapy focuses specifically on sexuality and sexual relationships, so it can be useful for couples having intimacy problems or who want to improve or strengthen their sex life,” saysHannah Owens, LMSW, a subject matter expert. But it’s notjustfor couples. “Sex therapy is also helpful for people who have an unhealthy relationship with sex (for example, sex addiction or using sex to avoid dealing with other emotional issues) or who have a traumatic sexual history,” Owens says.

Sex therapyneverinvolves nudity or sexual contact with the sex therapist. A sex therapist can help clients understand andhave healthier relationships with their own desiresas well as help couplesreconnect and foster healthy intimacy.In our online therapy research, we surveyed over 8,000 users of 80 different companies and considered cost, accessibility, what services they offer, and who they treat. While we have not yet been able to test every online sex therapy company, we evaluated them on these criteria and checked to be sure theirtherapists are qualified, certified, and sex-positive.Here are some sex therapy services and resources we recommend.

Privacy

Our Online Therapy MethodologyCurious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at ouronline therapy methodology.

Our Online Therapy Methodology

Curious about the extensive work we did to research and evaluate online therapy companies? Take a look at ouronline therapy methodology.

The 7 Best Online Sex Therapy Services of 2024

Best for Live Chat: Talkspace

Talkspace

Learn More

Get $100 off your first month using promo codeVERYWELL100.

Key Specs

Why We Chose It

Pros & Cons

ProsEmploys trained sex therapistsLive chat, asynchronous text, and audio messaging may feel more comfortable for some usersAccepts some insuranceAffordably priced monthly subscription without insuranceLive video or phone sessions also availableConsExperience may feel less personal due to the limitations of text formatSome users may have concerns about data privacy

Employs trained sex therapists

Live chat, asynchronous text, and audio messaging may feel more comfortable for some users

Accepts some insurance

Affordably priced monthly subscription without insurance

Live video or phone sessions also available

ConsExperience may feel less personal due to the limitations of text formatSome users may have concerns about data privacy

Experience may feel less personal due to the limitations of text format

Some users may have concerns about data privacy

Our Testing

We had 11 testers from Indiana, South Dakota, California, Kansas, Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, Minnesota, Iowa, and New York sign up for Talkspace and assess its individual and couples services and the quality of the therapy they received. In the interest of their privacy, we didn’t ask our testers to reveal what issues they sought therapy to address. But in our research, we were able to identify a number of Talkspace providers who offer sex therapy, as well as many providers who profess their commitment to gender- and sexuality-affirming care and/or who are members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We also liked that we had the option to choose how we wanted to communicate: via messaging only, video, or phone calls.

“[My therapist] doesn’t give me homework but does end with reminders and always lets me know I can chat between sessions if things come up. I think I have benefitted from this style because it builds trust and it makes me feel more connected even though it is online therapy."—Talkspace tester, who tried individual therapy

—Talkspace tester, who tried individual therapy

It’s worth noting, however, that Talkspace’s search function can be clunky. We were not able to identify any certified sex therapists, but we did find therapists in some states who specialize in intimacy and relationships. As a result, Talkspace is best suited for issues such asanxiety,depression,postpartum concerns,body image,trauma, desire discrepancy, intimate communication skills, and low libido that may affect your sexuality and sex life, not those experiencing serious sexual dysfunction or seeking kink- or poly-affirming care. “As intimate as talk therapy is, sex therapy is even more so,” says Owens. “While some people might prefer the comfort of texting, for others, not being able to establish a safe space (literally and figuratively) for sex therapy where your therapist can not only listen to you talk but also read your body language can be detrimental to the therapeutic relationship.”

Plans & Pricing

What Users Say

We surveyed 100 users of Talkspace:

Talkspace Review

Most Sex Positive: Modern IntimacyLearn MoreKey SpecsCost:Not listed without scheduling a consultationPlatforms:HIPAA-secure telehealthType of Therapy:Individual, couplesWhy We Chose ItModern Intimacy is highly regarded within the sex therapy community.This small but dedicated team is made up of certified sex therapists as well as somatic therapists and coaches ready to guide individuals and couples toward healthier intimacy and sex. Modern Intimacy advocates for sex positivity and affirming care—care that celebrates rather than shames all sexualities, orientations, and genders—and is made up of a diverse team of therapists (all of whom use she/her pronouns).Pros & ConsProsCulturally diverse team of cliniciansAll therapists are certified or under supervision while trainingServes clients across a wide variety of gender, sexuality, and relationship differencesOffers psychological assessments and evaluationsConsTherapy services are only available in nine states and Washington, D.C.Doesn’t accept insuranceMade up of only 12 providersOur TestingModern Intimacyserves a full spectrum of needs related to sex and intimacy, including sex therapy, couples therapy, marriage counseling, addiction (particularly porn addiction), and more. We tested couples therapy with Modern Intimacy and found that our therapist was incredibly skilled at getting us to be honest about the stuff that wasn’t working for each of us without it causing problems afterward. Our therapist also assigned “homework,” such as active listening during conversations and sensory experiences like holding hands and back rubs. Overall, we felt that the therapy brought us closer and gave us things to work on to strengthen our emotional and physical connection.We were especially impressed with Modern Intimacy’s mission statement, which focuses on the creation of a safe, inclusive space for anyone and everyone to explore the intersection of their mental health, sexuality, and intimate relationships. We love that Modern Intimacy takes asex-positiveapproach to therapy and well-being, meaning that it is inclusive and embraces the idea that sex—of all kinds, as long as it’s consensual—is a healthy, fundamental form of self-expression and brings pleasure and intimacy into one’s life.Sex positivity rejects old notions that sex is something to be ashamed of, and shaking off that shame is crucial to helping sex therapy clients accept themselves and address their concerns openly and honestly.Nearly every therapist on staff at Modern Intimacy is either a certified sex therapist or actively pursuing certification, and all are familiar with and trained in working across the sexual health spectrum. However, one major drawback to this boutique practice is that it only operates in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C.Plans & PricingInsurance Accepted:NoSubscription Required:NoOut-of-Pocket Costs:People interested in working with a Modern Intimacy clinician can self-schedule a free 30-minute consultation through the practice’s website. Costs are not listed but may run about $300 per session, with sliding scale pricing also available.What Users SayAlthough we haven’t surveyed users of Modern Intimacy, one of our subject matter experts thinks it’s still worth including as a resource for people seeking sex-positive, affirming care. “Sexuality covers such a large spectrum, and everyone on that spectrum deserves informed therapy that is supportive of their identities and experiences,” says Hannah Owens, LMSW. “Unfortunately, this kind of acceptance can be difficult to find—which is why Modern Intimacy stands out. Its mission statement specifically addresses sex positivity, setting it apart even from other companies that purport to offer sex therapy.”Modern Intimacy Review

Most Sex Positive: Modern Intimacy

Modern Intimacy Therapy

Modern Intimacy is highly regarded within the sex therapy community.This small but dedicated team is made up of certified sex therapists as well as somatic therapists and coaches ready to guide individuals and couples toward healthier intimacy and sex. Modern Intimacy advocates for sex positivity and affirming care—care that celebrates rather than shames all sexualities, orientations, and genders—and is made up of a diverse team of therapists (all of whom use she/her pronouns).

ProsCulturally diverse team of cliniciansAll therapists are certified or under supervision while trainingServes clients across a wide variety of gender, sexuality, and relationship differencesOffers psychological assessments and evaluationsConsTherapy services are only available in nine states and Washington, D.C.Doesn’t accept insuranceMade up of only 12 providers

Culturally diverse team of clinicians

All therapists are certified or under supervision while training

Serves clients across a wide variety of gender, sexuality, and relationship differences

Offers psychological assessments and evaluations

ConsTherapy services are only available in nine states and Washington, D.C.Doesn’t accept insuranceMade up of only 12 providers

Therapy services are only available in nine states and Washington, D.C.

Doesn’t accept insurance

Made up of only 12 providers

Modern Intimacyserves a full spectrum of needs related to sex and intimacy, including sex therapy, couples therapy, marriage counseling, addiction (particularly porn addiction), and more. We tested couples therapy with Modern Intimacy and found that our therapist was incredibly skilled at getting us to be honest about the stuff that wasn’t working for each of us without it causing problems afterward. Our therapist also assigned “homework,” such as active listening during conversations and sensory experiences like holding hands and back rubs. Overall, we felt that the therapy brought us closer and gave us things to work on to strengthen our emotional and physical connection.

We were especially impressed with Modern Intimacy’s mission statement, which focuses on the creation of a safe, inclusive space for anyone and everyone to explore the intersection of their mental health, sexuality, and intimate relationships. We love that Modern Intimacy takes asex-positiveapproach to therapy and well-being, meaning that it is inclusive and embraces the idea that sex—of all kinds, as long as it’s consensual—is a healthy, fundamental form of self-expression and brings pleasure and intimacy into one’s life.

Sex positivity rejects old notions that sex is something to be ashamed of, and shaking off that shame is crucial to helping sex therapy clients accept themselves and address their concerns openly and honestly.

Nearly every therapist on staff at Modern Intimacy is either a certified sex therapist or actively pursuing certification, and all are familiar with and trained in working across the sexual health spectrum. However, one major drawback to this boutique practice is that it only operates in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Texas, and Washington, D.C.

Although we haven’t surveyed users of Modern Intimacy, one of our subject matter experts thinks it’s still worth including as a resource for people seeking sex-positive, affirming care. “Sexuality covers such a large spectrum, and everyone on that spectrum deserves informed therapy that is supportive of their identities and experiences,” says Hannah Owens, LMSW. “Unfortunately, this kind of acceptance can be difficult to find—which is why Modern Intimacy stands out. Its mission statement specifically addresses sex positivity, setting it apart even from other companies that purport to offer sex therapy.”

Modern Intimacy Review

Best for Beginners: Lasting

Lasting Therapy App

ProsMore affordable than traditional couples or sex therapyUses attachment theory and emotionally focused therapyAllows partners to participate in therapy asynchronouslyEasy-to-complete prompts and quizzesFree one-week trialConsNot tailored to unique user needsYou will not be working with a live clinicianSome concern about user data privacy

More affordable than traditional couples or sex therapy

Uses attachment theory and emotionally focused therapy

Allows partners to participate in therapy asynchronously

Easy-to-complete prompts and quizzes

Free one-week trial

ConsNot tailored to unique user needsYou will not be working with a live clinicianSome concern about user data privacy

Not tailored to unique user needs

You will not be working with a live clinician

Some concern about user data privacy

Lasting’sapp takes a simple and practical approach to helping couples examine and work on core elements of their relationships, from sex and intimacy to communication and conflict resolution. The app offers a safe, private space for you and your partner to explore your relationships and intimacy issues through simple prompts. Plus, its tone is gentle and positive, and the program guides partners to encourage one another. While we have not yet tested the app, we think it could be the perfect introduction for beginners who might be considering taking the plunge into real-life sex therapy, though it may not be suited to more complex or unique issues.

The app consists primarily of educational modules covering relationship topics (including sex, parenting, and communication). In each module, you’ll have short reading assignments that communicate science-backed relationship principles, largely built onthe work of Dr. John Gottman, a leader in the world of couples therapy. You only need one subscription for you and your partner, and you can each access its material on your own time.

“The good thing about a program like Lasting is that it’s based on tried and true approaches to relationship and sex therapy,” Owens says. “But the inability to personalize the program might mean that it’s not the right tool for you and/or your partner.”

Lasting’s materials and interactive elements are well thought-out and really take the pressure off the potentially stressful prospect of talking through sex and intimacy issues. Its simplicity and approachability do limit the app, however. It’s a great tool to improve communication and mutual understanding, but won’t be a full substitute for a sex or couples therapist. It is best suited for couples experiencing challenges with anxiety, depression, body image, postpartum concerns, mismatched libido, arousal issues, conflict resolution, and communication around intimacy. More complicated sexual health needs, like distressing sexual thoughts or sexual dysfunction, might require a higher level of intervention than Lasting’s model can offer.

Best for Polyamorous Relationships: Golden Vibes Counseling Center

Golden Vibes Counseling Center

Golden Vibes, with its panel of over a dozen sex-positive and LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC-affirming mental health providers, is another regional therapy practice that is a leader in the field, especially when it comes to sex, intimacy, and marginalized clients, including those in alternative relationship structures like polyamory and kink. Offering telehealth sessions to clients throughout Wisconsin, Golden Vibes is a model of what polyamorous-affirming mental health care should be.

ProsSex-positive and LGBTQIA+/BIPOC-affirming providersLarge team of clinicians working with clients to promote lifelong sexual healthOffers a variety of therapeutic modalities including art therapy, EMDR, internal family systems, and dialectical behavior therapyDiverse panel of therapists offers clients choice and flexibility in selecting a provider

Sex-positive and LGBTQIA+/BIPOC-affirming providers

Large team of clinicians working with clients to promote lifelong sexual health

Offers a variety of therapeutic modalities including art therapy, EMDR, internal family systems, and dialectical behavior therapy

Diverse panel of therapists offers clients choice and flexibility in selecting a provider

Currently limited to clients based in Wisconsin

Not all therapists are licensed sex therapists

Serving clients throughout the state of Wisconsin,Golden Vibesis beneficial for anyone in an alternative relationship structure likepolyamoryorkink, who identifies as BIPOC or LGBTQIA+, or who is gender-questioning or seeking gender-affirming care. We have not yet tested therapy sessions at this Wisconsin-only practice, but its approach and therapist bios speak for themselves. Each therapist has written a detailed description of the modalities they use and the issues and identities they specialize in treating as well as descriptions of their own identities, making it crystal clear to potential clients which providers they will relate best to.

Offering therapy services in-office and via a HIPAA-secure telehealth platform in both English and Spanish, Golden Vibes therapists are equipped to help their clients navigate sexual dysfunction, infidelity, low libido, and desire discrepancies; alternative lifestyles, LGBTQIA+ affirming therapy, trauma, body image, and gender identity exploration can also be addressed.

“It’s especially important for those in polyamorous or otherwise non-traditional relationships to have access to affirming and nonjudgmental sex therapy, so a company that specializes in those types of relationships—like Golden Vibes—is imperative,” says Owens.

Although not every therapist is a licensed sex therapist, several are, and Golden Vibes’s blend of creative modalities and inclusive care sets the standard for what an inclusive and affirming sex therapy practice can look like.

Golden Vibes’s therapists earned praise from users who reviewed the practice on Google for being insightful into the root causes of clients’ issues while offering practical tools to manage mental health challenges. This local practice was not part of our survey process for online therapy, but users felt particularly comfortable with Golden Vibes’s non-judgmental therapists. The few complaints posted were that the small practice may not be immediately accepting new clients, and that clients may need to come to sessions with an idea of what they want to talk about, as a therapist did not take the lead.

Best for Culturally Inclusive Therapy: Council for Relationships

Council For Therapy

We love that the Council for Relationships is a triple threat: It’s a non-profit dedicated to making culturally-informed therapy accessible, it’s specifically focused on relationships (including sex), and its robust professional development arm works to train the next generation of sex therapists. The Council for Relationships has been in operation for more than 70 years and boasts clinicians working across 45 treatment areas. It also offers psychiatric services.

ProsNonprofit committed to offering accessible sex therapy servicesDiverse clinical team members are leaders in the field of sex therapyPsychiatric services available in-houseRelatively affordable with clear fee structureAbility to choose your own therapistClient care team available to answer questionsConsLimited to clients in Pennsylvania and New JerseySliding scale rate may require client to work with a clinical internDoes not accept insurance

Nonprofit committed to offering accessible sex therapy services

Diverse clinical team members are leaders in the field of sex therapy

Psychiatric services available in-house

Relatively affordable with clear fee structure

Ability to choose your own therapist

Client care team available to answer questions

ConsLimited to clients in Pennsylvania and New JerseySliding scale rate may require client to work with a clinical internDoes not accept insurance

Limited to clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Sliding scale rate may require client to work with a clinical intern

Does not accept insurance

We haven’t yet been able to send a tester to therapy sessions with Council for Relationships, but we, too, are impressed with its mission statement, transparency, and the qualifications of its therapists.

“Receiving sex therapy from a program or company that trains sex therapists guarantees that you will have a provider who is a licensed (or soon-to-be licensed) sex therapist—this means that they specialize in sex therapy,” says Owens. “It’s like choosing between going to a general practitioner and a cardiologist if you’re experiencing heart problems; a GP could probably help you, but a specialist is a much better fit.”

It is especially refreshing that you can easily browse therapist bios and read clear descriptions of the fee scales.

Because its staff members are not only mental health providers but clinical educators, Council for Relationships has an exceptionally high level of skill represented among its clinicians, who serve not only as direct-care therapists but also as sexuality educators and sex therapy instructors. The fact that Council for Relationships works with Thomas Jefferson University to offer postgraduate sex therapy certification makes it a promising resource for professional sex therapy. This deep knowledge makes the organization’s therapists ideally suited to working with complex sexual and relational health concerns.

We did not survey users of this company ourselves, but users who leftGoogle reviewsfor Council for Relationships were impressed at the quality of therapy they received at affordable prices and the staff’s warmth. While Council for Relationships boasts a large staff of therapists who are diverse in terms of genders, ages, and races, it should be noted that, despite Council for Relationships diverse staff, one user said they not only had scheduling issues but felt their white female therapist was ill-equipped to understand or help them through psychological issues related to racism.

Best With In-Person Options: Thriveworks

Thriveworks

Thriveworks offers virtual or in-person therapy from locations around the country and a variety of providers—including those specializing in sex and relationship therapy—working at each location. It accepts a wide range of insurance plans, and its reasonably priced, subscription-based out-of-pocket payment model also makes Thriveworks a solid option for folks looking for accessible therapy.

ProsOffice locations in 49 states and D.C.Flexibility to move between telehealth and in-office care, depending on need and preferenceAccepts insuranceAlso offers psychiatry and addiction counselingProvider search function

Office locations in 49 states and D.C.

Flexibility to move between telehealth and in-office care, depending on need and preference

Accepts insurance

Also offers psychiatry and addiction counseling

Provider search function

Not available in Vermont

Not guaranteed to work with a certified sex therapist

We had five testers, from Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, and New York, tryThriveworks. The company stood out to us because it offers the flexibility of seeing a therapist via telehealth or in person at one of its more than 340 locations across 49 states and Washington, D.C. While some people may feel more comfortable talking about sex and intimacy from the privacy of their own homes, being able to see a therapist and their body language in person may help others feel more trust and ease with their therapist.

Thriveworks’ easy-to-navigate website allowed us to choose our own therapist based on our location and a decent array of filters, including one for sex therapy; we could also filter for the therapist’s gender, our age, languages, visit type, insurance, type of counseling, and what we’re seeking help for. In most therapy sessions, we were impressed with how personal and comfortable an hour of telehealth with a Thriveworks counselor felt (although, in one case we met with a therapist who seemed pushy and dismissive). In sessions focused on partner-related issues, we liked that our Thriveworks therapist stayed focused on the topic at hand and offered actionable advice and strategies to try with a partner.

A downside is that you are not guaranteed to be matched with a certified sex therapist. We also were a bit disappointed to find that “sex therapy” specifically isn’t offered in every location; sometimes, we found that the filter options in the provider search function only allowed us to choose “relationships” or “LGBTQIA+” as what we were looking for help with, which isn’t necessarily the same thing as sex therapy.

We surveyed 100 users of Thriveworks:

Thriveworks Review

Best Sex Therapy Directory: AASECT

ASSECT

ProsDirectory offers listings for nearly all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C. and several countriesDirectory listings are heavily vetted with credentials verifiedFree to the public and easy to useAll providers specialize in sex therapy

Directory offers listings for nearly all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C. and several countries

Directory listings are heavily vetted with credentials verified

Free to the public and easy to use

All providers specialize in sex therapy

Some states do not any have AASECT-certified sex therapists

Therapists with sex therapy training who chose not to pursue certification are not listed

TheAmerican Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists(AASECT) is a national organization leading the way for sex therapy as a field and providing ethical guidance and educational standards to those who practice sex therapy. As this resource is a directory, we have reviewed its contents (rather than testing it like a therapy company) and draw confidence in recommending it knowing that AASECT members approach their work with clients from a sex-positive, LGBTQIA+ and trans-inclusive, and BDSM/kink- and polyam-affirming perspective.

Every therapist included in this frequently updated directory is a master’s-level or higher qualified mental health provider, who has received at least a foundational level of training in kink/BDSM-aware therapy, LGBTQIA+ issues, gender-affirming care, and polyamory/ethical non-monogamy.

AASECT is the most highly respected organization of sex therapists in the U.S., but users’ experiences are dependent on the individual providers they choose from thousands listed in its database. We have not surveyed users of AASECT at this time.

Compare the Best Online Sex Therapy Services

About the Companies That Did Not Make Our List

Because of the sensitive nature of the topics discussed in sex therapy—ranging from erectile dysfunction and sexual orientation questions to childhood trauma and out-of-control sexual behavior—we’ve created a list of resources that minimize privacy concerns for those seeking care. Many large-scale providers, such as BetterHelp, are still figuring out how to manage user privacy and data protection. For these reasons, we prioritized options that offer flexibility and choice in therapy platform delivery, as well as the safest tools possible for clients who are already dealing with deeply personal challenges.

Guide for Choosing the Best Online Sex Therapy Services

No sex therapist, whether online or in office, will ever ask you to do sexual acts with or for them or to send sexual images to them.

Are Online Sex Therapy Programs Right for Me and/or My Partner?

Couples in sex therapy will likely work on many of the same things as they might in traditionalcouples counseling—such as communication skills and relationship repair—but will also receive specific coaching and guidance around their sexual and intimate life together.

Sex therapy may be worth it for you if:

Frequently Asked Questions

The cost of sex therapy can vary widely, depending upon availability and insurance coverage. For some, the cost will be their standard insurance copay. For those seeing an out-of-network or private-pay sex therapist, session rates can vary from about $70 to $300, depending upon your location and need.

Many insurance plans will cover individual sex therapy. However, coverage for couples counseling (whether sex therapy or general) is often more restrictive. If you want to see a therapist together with your partner, check with your insurance first to see if marriage/couples counseling is covered under your plan.

Like any form of therapy, qualified online sex therapists will use HIPAA-secured platforms for all sessions and information sharing. You can check the website of the company you’re considering using to be sure they use such platforms. The only circumstances under which sex therapists can break confidentiality are: if you tell your therapist you intend to harm yourself or someone else; if you tell them about sexual or physical abuse, child abuse or neglect, or elder abuse or neglect; under court order; or if you are seeing other clinicians (such as a psychiatrist) at the same company and the information is relevant to your treatment. Otherwise, your information can only be shared with your written consent. You can learn more aboutconfidentiality here.

No.A sex therapist willnevertouch or engage in sexual activities with their clients. That includes phone or video sex, in the case of online sex therapy. Sex therapy—whether online or in-person—is a form of talk therapy, with a focus on sex and sexuality. There are credentialed professionals who providesex surrogate therapy,but this practice is controversial, uncommon, and separate from sex therapy.

How We Tested and Reviewed Online Therapy Services

We evaluated 80 onlinetherapy companiesandtherapist directoriesin order to compile this list. We also enlisted the expertise of certified sex therapistStefani Goerlich, the writer of this article, in order to determine which online sex therapy resources were the best. While we have not yet tested every online sex therapy company or resource listed here, we have plans to do so as we expand our testing capabilities. In lieu of first-hand experience, our team has thoroughly researched the companies, their mission statements, providers, costs, and availability to vet them as well as is currently practical. We look forward to updating this list with our testers’ experiences and users’ feedback.

Firsthand Experience

As part of our research, we signed up for talk therapy at all 55 online therapy companies we reviewed. We tested each company’s therapy services, and if the company offered other services (such as couples therapy and kid or teen therapy) we tested those too. Our testers are located all across the United States and abroad, meaning we have extensive information about each company’s services in a variety of areas.

User and Brand Surveys

In addition, we surveyed more than 8,000 therapy users: 100 at each of the 55 online therapy companies and 27 therapist directories we researched and tested. We collected over 100 different data points in which we asked users to evaluate each company’s services, from their therapist’s qualifications to whether they found a therapist who met all their needs to how they’d rate the company overall. We also sent questionnaires to each company we considered, asking for their perspectives on the services they provide, and we interviewed former patients and therapists at the companies where possible.

Research

Expert Recommendations

Once we completed this testing and these surveys, we evaluated our findings with the help of three licensed therapists—Amy Marschall, PsyD;Nic Hardy, PhD, LCSW; andHannah Owens, LMSW—in order to make our recommendations. These therapists provided extensive insight into the ethics and efficacy of online therapy as well as information about relevant therapeutic modalities and approaches.

2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Coalition for Sexual Health.New survey finds more than half of Americans report sexual difficulties – national coalition launches new guide to address sexual concerns and increase pleasure.Uzdavines A, Helmer DA, Spelman JF, et al.Sexual health assessment is vital to whole health models of care.JMIRx Med. 2022;3(3):e36266. doi:10.2196/36266

2 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Coalition for Sexual Health.New survey finds more than half of Americans report sexual difficulties – national coalition launches new guide to address sexual concerns and increase pleasure.Uzdavines A, Helmer DA, Spelman JF, et al.Sexual health assessment is vital to whole health models of care.JMIRx Med. 2022;3(3):e36266. doi:10.2196/36266

National Coalition for Sexual Health.New survey finds more than half of Americans report sexual difficulties – national coalition launches new guide to address sexual concerns and increase pleasure.Uzdavines A, Helmer DA, Spelman JF, et al.Sexual health assessment is vital to whole health models of care.JMIRx Med. 2022;3(3):e36266. doi:10.2196/36266

Uzdavines A, Helmer DA, Spelman JF, et al.Sexual health assessment is vital to whole health models of care.JMIRx Med. 2022;3(3):e36266. doi:10.2196/36266

Hannah Owens, LMSW

andSimone Scully

Simone Scully

Amanda Tust

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies

By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies

In This Article#

Privacy#

Our Online Therapy Methodology#

The 7 Best Online Sex Therapy Services of 2024#

Best for Live Chat: Talkspace#

Key Specs#

Why We Chose It#

Pros & Cons#

Our Testing#

Plans & Pricing#

What Users Say#

Most Sex Positive: Modern Intimacy#

Best for Beginners: Lasting#

Best for Polyamorous Relationships: Golden Vibes Counseling Center#

Best for Culturally Inclusive Therapy: Council for Relationships#

Best With In-Person Options: Thriveworks#

Best Sex Therapy Directory: AASECT#

Compare the Best Online Sex Therapy Services#

About the Companies That Did Not Make Our List#

Guide for Choosing the Best Online Sex Therapy Services#

Are Online Sex Therapy Programs Right for Me and/or My Partner?#

Frequently Asked Questions#

How We Tested and Reviewed Online Therapy Services#

Firsthand Experience#

User and Brand Surveys#

Research#

Expert Recommendations#

In This Article